Public News Service

Community Action Kentucky workers helping deliver food. (Community Action Kentucky/Facebook)

The Economic Opportunity Act: 60 years of service to Kentuckians

This week marks the 60th anniversary of landmark anti-poverty legislation. The Economic Opportunity Act created a network of Community Action …

A yurt Airbnb rental in Berea, Ky. owned by HomeGrown HideAways. (Facebook/HomeGrown HideAways)<br />

As KY short-term rentals thrive, housing affordability concerns persist

Eastern Kentucky communities are grappling with a ballooning short-term rental market. This year, the town of Stanton in the Red River Gorge was …

Research by the Vera Institute shows that harsher sentences don't deter crime, can even make communities less safe, and are costly. (Adobe Stock)

KY lawmakers consider bill that would expand felony offenses

Under proposed legislation being considered by Republican lawmakers, Kentucky renters would face harsher criminal penalties for property damage…

According to the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, the city of Louisville currently has around 1,600 people who are experiencing homelessness, and only 750 beds are available in shelters. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Proposed KY law criminalizing homeless camping 'will make our work harder,' advocates say

A lengthy proposal aimed at reducing crime recently unveiled by Kentucky lawmakers has housing advocacy groups concerned about the impact on the homel…

Cynthia, Tatum and Damareus, with other members of the True Up Peer Network. (Kentucky Youth Advocates)

Preventing homelessness among KY foster youth

A lack of housing options, mental-health challenges and a lack of connections and support have combined to drive an uptick in the number of foster …

Nine thousand homes in 13 counties were destroyed or significantly damaged in the July 2022 eastern Kentucky floods, in which 40 people died. (Wikimedia Commons)<br />

KY’s Rural Housing Trust Fund Plays Critical Role in Disaster Recovery

The Kentucky Housing Corporation has received applications for housing funding from the state's Rural Housing Trust Fund requesting more than $18 mill…

According to the latest data, around 4,000 Kentuckians experience homelessness on a given night in January each year. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid Renewal Process a Barrier for Kentuckians Struggling with Housing

Medicaid benefits can help people stay housed or get connected to resources that can help them find housing. And experts say the state's Medicaid …

According to researchers at George Mason University's Mercatus Center, legalizing accessory dwelling units is on the rise as states take action to expand access to lower-cost housing. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Louisville Works to Expand Accessory Dwelling Unit Resources

The City of Louisville wants to streamline the process for property owners seeking to build Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as carriage houses …

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)

New Data Shows Well-Being of Kentucky Kids Worsens

The latest Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky, along with other Appalachian and Southeastern states, ranks in the bottom …

According to the Pew Research Center, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and South Carolina have implemented laws to waive fees for people who do not have permanent addresses to obtain state IDs. (Adobe Stock)

For Some Kentuckians, a Photo ID Opens Doors to Jobs, Housing

Identification documents are an essential part of daily life, but many unhoused Kentuckians have no permanent address and no form of photo ID…

More than 1 in 7 households nationwide paid over half of their income on housing in 2020, according to a report by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies. (Adobe Stock)

KY's Housing Shortage Worsened by Natural Disasters

Kentucky is facing a serious housing shortage, and the past few years of deadly floods and tornadoes have worsened the situation. Advocates want …

More than 40 people across six eastern Kentucky counties lost their lives during devastating flooding in the region this past summer. (Office of Governor Andy Beshear) More than 40 people across six eastern Kentucky counties lost their lives during devastating flooding in the region this past summer. (Office of Governor Andy Beshear)

Eastern KY Communities Aim to 'Get Recovery Right' After Floods

Infrastructure problems continue to plague eastern Kentucky months after severe flooding left thousand of residents without housing. According to …

Dr. Jamestta Ferguson, founder of Molo Community Development Corp., says grassroots organizations are working to address decades of disinvestment in Louisville's historically Black neighborhoods. (AARP KY)

Neighborhood Org Pushes for Economic Development in West Louisville

A pastor and community leader in Louisville is working to boost economic development and raise the quality of life on Louisville's West end. …

The number of children in foster care in Kentucky increased to more than 53,000 between 2018-2020, according to the 2021 Kids Count County Data Book released by Kentucky Youth Advocates. (Adobe Stock)

Report: How Racial Disparities Impact KY Kids’ Well-Being

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A new analysis of county-level data sheds light on how systemic racial disparities are affecting the wellbeing of kids in the …

Unemployment offices across the state have shut their doors in recent years, forcing out-of-work Kentuckians to travel long distances. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Pre-Filed to Reopen Dozens of Unemployment Offices

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Since 2017, more than thirty unemployment offices across the Commonwealth have shut their doors. Now, State Rep. Terri Branham Clark …

An estimated 4,079 Kentuckians experience homelessness on any given day, according to federal data from 2019. (Adobe Stock)

In 2020 Census, Youths Without Stable Housing Could be Missed in Pandemic

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Homeless families and transient youths typically are undercounted in the census, and the COVID-19 pandemic could make efforts to …

A new $500,000 federal grant will help more domestic violence victims in Kentucky afford safe housing. (@TatianaMara/Twenty20)

Grant Helps Domestic-Violence Survivors Counter Financial Abuse

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A shelter in Bowling Green will be able to help more women fleeing abusive relationships afford safe housing, thanks to a …

The Kentucky State Penitentiary complex in Eddyville, Ky., holds more than 850 people and has been in operation since the 1880s. (Wikimedia Commons)

Life After Prison a Challenge in KY Communities

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Researchers are following 230 Kentuckians who either are incarcerated or have recently been released, as part of a national …

A new program in Hazard, Ky., will offers paid on-the-job training in housing construction to people in recovery from substance abuse. (@reinasierra/Twenty20)

Construction Skills Help Kentuckians in Recovery Build New Lives

HAZARD, Ky. — A new job training program in Eastern Kentucky will teach people in recovery from substance abuse how to build homes. The …

There are more than 4,000 Kentuckians without a home, according to the latest point-in-time count.(James Jordan/Flickr)

A Reminder to Help Those Without a Home During the Heat

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With sweltering weather settling in across the Commonwealth, advocacy groups are asking Kentuckians to show compassion for those …

Victims of domestic violence often leave abusive situations strapped by debt and bad credit. (Pixabay)

KY Abuse Survivors Get Help with "Financial Empowerment"

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Some financial specialists are helping survivors of partner abuse in Kentucky learn the power of financial fitness – and …

Utility programs that offer rebates for the purchase of energy efficient appliances are popular among Kentucky electric customers. (Andy Melton/Flickr)

Some Kentuckians Could Lose Energy-Efficiency Programs

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Programs that help some Kentuckians save money on their utility bills could go by the wayside. Louisville Gas and Electric…

It's estimated that more than 5 million potential borrowers are being locked out of home loans because of an over-correction after the foreclosure crisis. (Brandon Rivera/Flickr)

Report: Americans of Color Locked Out of Conventional Home Loans

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Achieving the American dream often comes down to access to capital, and a new report finds that racial disparities continue …

The Lexington Fair Housing Council and the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence are offering free webinars about the new law. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Landlords Briefed on New Leasing Protections for Domestic-Violence Survivors

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Since June 29, new leasing protections have been in place in Kentucky for survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence…

Big legislative wins for victims who seek and access protections through Kentucky's network of domestic violence programs, including this one in central Kentucky. (Greg Stotelmyer)

KY Lawmakers Approve Leasing Protections for Domestic Violence Victims

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A new Kentucky law removes a barrier that victims of domestic violence often face when making the difficult decision to leave …

This is one of three tiny houses being built this school year by students in eastern Kentucky, a project designed to build new skills for the region's changing economy. (KY Valley Educational Cooperative)

Kentucky Students Building Tiny, Learning Big

PHELPS, Ky. – The popularity of tiny houses has become a teaching tool for dozens of vocational education and technology students in eastern …

Louisville has achieved a sharp reduction in its homeless population, according to a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. (Pexel)

Making a "Big Dent" in Homelessness

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As Executive Director of Louisville's Coalition for the Homeless, Natalie Harris says the city's effort to combat …

Securing safe, affordable housing is often the biggest challenge facing victims of domestic violence. A new program seeks to help them overcome that barrier. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Rapid Re-Housing For Domestic-Violence Victims Goes Statewide

FRANKFORT, Ky. – For the first time, a Rapid Re-Housing Program is being taken statewide to help victims of domestic violence. Using a $259,000 …

Dr. Gail Christopher, a national expert in holistic health and diversity, told community and health leaders in Kentucky that if they work more on improving inequities the state's health will improve. (Shannon Wells)

Dealing With Inequities Called Key to Improving Kentuckians' Health

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A national expert in holistic health and diversity told community and health leaders in Kentucky yesterday that if they work more on …

New census figures say Kentucky's median income is up as more people are working, but the state still has one of the nation's highest poverty rates. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Income Up in KY, but Poverty Rate Remains Among Highest in Nation

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky continues to have one of the highest poverty rates in the nation, showing only slight improvement in 2015. New Census …

An audit commissioned by Reynolds American identifies instances of minors working in unsafe conditions on contracted tobacco farms across the south, including in Kentucky. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Audit Finds Children Working in Tobacco Fields

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Children are working on tobacco farms - some of them, in hazardous conditions. That's one of the findings of an audit commissioned …

Children in the Bluegrass State have it tough. According to a new report, Kentucky has the highest percentage of children who have had a parent incarcerated, nearly double the national average. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Kentucky's Massive Problem of Parents Behind Bars - How to Help the Kids

JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. - A new report finds that Kentucky has the highest percentage of children who have had a parent incarcerated, which is having a …

For more than a decade, the state's network of domestic violence shelters, including this one in Somerset, have banked on the Economic Empowerment Project to help survivors get back on their feet financially. (Bethany House)

Helping Domestic Violence Survivors Become Self-Sufficient

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Those who oversee Kentucky's network of 15 domestic violence shelters say once survivors have made it to a safe haven, the next big …

Legislation to help protect renters across Kentucky by standardizing landlord-tenant leases statewide goes before a House committee today. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Statewide Protections Sought for Kentucky Renters

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A handful of communities in the Bluegrass State, including Kentucky's two largest cities, have adopted a law to help protect renters…

A lack of funding and staff keep Kentucky's network of 15 domestic violence shelters, including this one near Lexington, from meeting all the needs of victims. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Domestic Violence Census: In KY, Demand for Help Outstrips Funds

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The raw numbers from a single day last fall shine a glaring light on Kentucky's inability to help a significant number of domestic …

State Rep. Joni Jenkins is sponsoring a bill to allow victims of domestic and dating violence to legally break a lease to leave a dangerous situation. (LRC Public Information)

Proposal Dismantles Barrier Faced by KY Domestic Violence Victims

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A bill filed in the Kentucky House would give victims of domestic and dating violence the ability to legally break their home or …

The thermometer is looking like winter in Kentucky, a reminder that January 11 is when the federal crisis heating assistance program begins. (Greg Stotelmyer)

Crisis Heating Assistance Signups Begin Monday

FRANKFORT, Ky. - After an unusually warm holiday season, winter's cold temperatures have arrived in Kentucky. This coming Monday marks the first day …

Increasing state support for kinship care is a key recommendation in a new foster care issue brief from Kentucky Youth Advocates. Credit Greg Stotelmyer

KYA: Family "Best Medicine" for Foster Kids

JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. - A leading child advocacy group in Kentucky wants the state to lift its moratorium on new enrollments in its Kinship Care …

Experts encourage the adoption of older youths in foster care during National Adoption Month. Credit: Greg Stotelmyer

Report: Fewer Adoptions of Older Youth Make Transition Tough

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Transitioning into adulthood can be difficult for many teens, especially for those who age out of foster care without ever being …

Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear announces plans to build supportive housing for domestic-violence victims who have been living in shelters. She made the announcement Tuesday at GreenHouse17, the shelter near Lexington. Credit: Greg Stotelmyer.

Building Safe Lives for Victims of Domestic Violence

LEXINGTON, Ky. - In her eight years as Kentucky's First Lady, Jane Beshear has become known as a tireless supporter of ways to help victims of …

PHOTO: The head of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky says the Supreme Court ruling making same-sex weddings legal in all 50 states has an impact far beyond marriage. Photo credit: Lexington Fairness.

SCOTUS Ruling Means More than Marriage Licenses

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Within hours of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last Friday that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to wed, county clerks…

PHOTO: Structural and efficiency upgrades to affordable multi-family housing could save money and reduce energy usage. Photo by Rudy Matthews Photography and Lloyd Wright for the National Housing Trust.

Money and Energy Savings Waiting in Affordable Housing

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Basic upgrades of affordable housing will result in a huge energy efficiency payoff, according to two new studies from the National …

PHOTO: This shared office space for nonprofit groups in Kentucky is growing as it hits its one year anniversary. Those involved say it fosters collaboration. Photo courtesy the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

(c)Space Becoming the Place

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In a Louisville office building there's shared space where nonprofit groups can work together under one roof. The place has a …

PHOTO: From Ashland to Paducah, and including all other Kentucky towns, you can now put a community's livability to the test. AARP has created an online livability index. Photo by Greg Stotelmyer.

Living in the Bluegrass State

FRANKFORT, Ky. – What makes a community livable might change depending on the age of the person giving the opinion. AARP has launched an …

PHOTO: More working Kentuckians living in rural areas claim the Earned Income Tax Credit than those who live in metropolitan areas of the state. Photo by Greg Stotelmyer.

Rural Workers in KY Rely on Earned Income Tax Credit

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Rural living can be a struggle in Kentucky. In fact, for more than a quarter of the state's rural workers, the Earned Income …

PHOTO: The Kentucky Domestic Violence Association is one of 140 groups taking the

"Purple Purse Challenge" to Help Survivors of Domestic Violence

FRANKFORT, Ky. - High-profile cases of domestic violence have fueled the public's demand that the crime carry serious consequences. The avalanche of …

PHOTO: Kentucky has shown steady improvement in child health and education, according to the 2014 National KIDS COUNT Data Book. Photo credit: Greg Stotelmyer.

Child Health and Education Improve in Kentucky, but Poverty Prevails

JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. - While a year-by-year indicator of child well-being shows steady improvement in the health and education of children in the …

KY Domestic Violence Survivors Gain Personal Finance Savvy

ASHLAND, Ky. - According to experts, after surviving domestic violence the next big step on a victim's path to recovery is self-sufficiency. It's a …

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KY: Housing/Homelessness